Ogonowski reaches out to area voters

Friday

May 25, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 25, 2007 at 11:47 PM

On Saturday, May 19, a small group of area residents braved the rainy, raw weather to meet with Air Force Lt. Col. James Ogonowski of Dracut, the lone Republican running for the fifth congressional seat due to be vacated by Rep. Marty Meehan July 1. The meet and greet was hosted by Bob and Cynthia Schaefer of Nashaway Road in Bolton.

Joshua Doran/Correspondent

On Saturday, May 19, a small group of area residents braved the rainy, raw weather to meet with Air Force Lt. Col. James Ogonowski of Dracut, the lone Republican running for the fifth congressional seat due to be vacated by Rep. Marty Meehan July 1. The meet and greet was hosted by Bob and Cynthia Schaefer of Nashaway Road in Bolton.

Ogonowski, who has served in the U.S. Air Force for the last 28 years, told those assembled that his family has a history of service to the country. His brother, John, was the pilot of American Airlines Flight 111 that crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, and he, too, served in the Air Force ROTC program.

Ogonowski said he decided to retire from the Air Force to serve the district he calls home.

“I want to go to Washington to make some things better. If Thomas Edison invented the light bulb today and brought it to Congress, they would probably argue over whether it was a good idea,” he said, in commenting on the volatile and divided nature of relations among the nation’s lawmakers.

Ogonowski is running against a field of Democratic candidates including Niki Tsongas, dean of external affairs at Middlesex Community College and widow of former Senator Paul Tsongas; Lowell City Councilor Ellen Donoghue; state representatives Jamie Eldridge of Acton, Barry Finegold of Andover, and James Miceli of Wilmington.

The candidate touched on a few key issues in a brief address to the group.

Regarding the topic of budget control and taxes, Ogonowski said, “I have signed a pledge that I will never vote to raise taxes.” He said he would cut back on absentminded spending, such as the expensive practice of campaign correspondence, in which large sums of money are often utilized to achieve what can now be accomplished electronically.

He discussed the seemingly uncontrollable escalation of gas prices and its relation to the need for a national energy policy. “Travel expenses are now a heavy burden on family travel.” Ogonowski also cited the need to pursue clean energy sources.

“I think he’s on the right track. I liked his ideas on cutting back on useless expenditures,” said Cynthia Schaefer, a resident of Bolton for 26 years.

Richard Rock, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, questioned Ogonowski on his willingness to follow through with his plans once in office.

“One disappointment of Republicans in the past has been their tendency to lean towards their own agenda after election. If you want to achieve all of the things that you speak of, you cannot do it in two years. If you win this election, are you in it for the long hall,” asked Rock.

“This is my home and I want to represent the people here. I did not get into this as a retirement job from the military. I believe that I am the right candidate. We have to give people a reason to vote,” Ogonowski assured him.

Ogonowski declined to comment directly on the current conflict in the Middle East and the nation’s military policies, noting that he would address these topics in a special press conference during the first week of June. But his military background appeared to be a plus among voters who are particularly concerned with national security.

“He has been there and is committed to protecting our country. He deserves to be respected,” said Cynthia Schaefer.

Ogonowski said he would continue to reach out to voters of the fifth congressional district over the summer months, as he attempts to build support for the election, which will be held on Sept. 4.

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